Emotion regulation strategies and aggression in youngsters: The mediating role of negative affect

Aggression in youngsters is a highly prevalent problem worldwide. Given that this problem has negative consequences for society, aggressors, and victims, the present study aims to understand the processes underlying the acts of aggression in this population. Specifically, we analyze the role of two emotional regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and the positive and negative affect variables in aggressive behavior. For this purpose, 654 primary and high school students aged between 9 and 18 years (47.6% boys) were assessed on emotion regulation, positive and negative affect, and aggression through the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, respectively. The results revealed that higher use of the cognitive reappraisal strategy was correlated with lower levels of aggression (for total, physical, and anger). In contrast, the opposite was observed with expressive suppression (for total aggression and hostility). More important for the purposes of this study was the finding that the negative affect variable mediated the relationship between expressive suppression and aggressive behavior. Specifically, those individuals who made greater use of the expressive suppression strategy had higher levels of negative affect, which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of aggression. Cognitive reappraisal appeared to be only directly related with a reduction in total aggression. Thus, higher levels of cognitive reappraisal were related to a reduction in aggressive behavior. However, when focusing on the four dimensions of aggression, the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and aggression appears to be mediated by negative affect and, in the case of anger, by positive affect. The limitations and implications of these findings are discussed.

Microsurgical treatment of symptomatic vestibular schwannomas in patients under 40: different results before and after age of 30

In 10-15% of cases of vestibular schwannoma (VS), age at diagnosis is 40 years or less. Little is known about the differences in natural history, surgical findings, and postoperative outcomes of such younger patients as compared to those of greater age. To analyze clinical and surgical and imaging data of a consecutive series of n = 50 patients with unilateral sporadic VS, aged 40 years or younger - separated in a very young group (15-30 years) and a moderately young group (31-40 years). Retrospective case series. Fifty consecutive patients under 40 years of age underwent microsurgical resection of unilateral sporadic VS via the retrosigmoid approach. The study cohort was subdivided into two groups according to the age range: group A, age range 15-30 years (n = 23 patients), and group B, age range 31-40 years (n = 27 patients). The adherence of VS capsule to surrounding nervous structures and the tendency of the tumors to bleed were evaluated by reviewing video records; the course of the FN in relation to the tumor's surface was assessed in each case. Microsurgical removal of tumor was classified as total (T), near total (residual tumor volume < 5%), subtotal (residual tumor volume 5-10%), or partial (residual tumor volume > 10%). Mean tumor size of entire cohort was 2.53 (range: 0.6-5.8) cm: 2.84 cm in group A and 2.36 cm in group B (p = NS). Facial nerve course and position within the cerebellopontine angle did not differ significantly between the two groups. At 6-month follow-up, FN functional outcome was HBI-II in 69.5% in group A, versus 96.3% in group B (p < .001). Hearing preservation was achieved in 60.0% of patients of group A and in 58.3% of group B (p = NS). Total and near-total resection was feasible in 95.6% of cases of group A and in 88.9% of group B (p = NS). Tumor capsule was tightly adherent to nervous structures in 69.6% patients of group A and in 22.2% of group B (p < .05). Significant bleeding was encountered in 56.5% of group A tumors, and in 29.6% of group B tumors (p < .01). Microsurgery of VS in patients aged 40 or less is associated with good functional results, and with high rates of total and near total tumor removal. Patients < 30 years of age have more adherent tumor capsules. Furthermore, their tumors exhibit a tendency to larger sizes, to hypervascularization, to profuse intraoperative bleeding and they present worse long-term functional FN results when compared to patients in their fourth decade of life. Our limited experience seems to suggest that a near total resection in very young VS patients with large tumors should be preferred in adherent and hypervascularized cases, in order to maximize resection and preserve function.

Fuzzy analysis of students' perception of traffic safety in school environments: the case of a small Brazilian city

Thousands of lives are lost every year due to traffic accidents worldwide, and youths are the most affected. The goal of this paper is to analyze the differences in young students' perceptions about traffic safety in school surroundings in order to help in the formulation of public policies and the development of infrastructure to make school travels safer. A questionnaire was used to obtain the perception of high school students from institutions with different urban characteristics. Data modelling with fuzzy logic and statistical analysis of variance indicated that students' perceptions are influenced by the different realities these youths are exposed to daily, such as school socioeconomic category, transport mode, urban environment and gender. Traffic engineering measures, public policies and road safety education action, inciting active mobility, can be validated and supported by these results. This road safety analysis may also be a participative alternative for locations with low data access.

Emotion regulation training in the treatment of obesity in young adolescents: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The prevalence rates of childhood obesity are increasing. The current multidisciplinary treatments for (childhood) obesity are effective but only moderately and in the short term. A possible explanation for the onset and maintenance of childhood obesity is that it reflects a maladaptive mechanism for regulating high levels of stress and emotions. Therefore, the current RCT study aims to test the effectiveness of adding an emotion regulation training to care as usual (multidisciplinary obesity treatment) in young inpatients (10-14) involved in an obesity treatment program compared to care as usual alone. The research model for this RCT study states that when high levels of stress are regulated in a maladaptive way, this can contribute to the development of obesity.

METHODS

The current study will recruit 140 youngsters (10-14 years) who are involved in an inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment (MOT) program. After giving consent to participate in the study, youngsters will be randomly assigned, during consecutive waves, to one of two conditions: care as usual (receiving MOT) or intervention (receiving MOT in addition to emotion regulation training). The training itself consists of 12 weekly sessions, followed by a booster session after 3 and 5 months. The participants will be tested pretraining, post-training, and at 6 months' follow-up. We hypothesize that, compared to the control condition, youngsters in the intervention condition will (1) use more adaptive emotion regulation strategies and (2) report less emotional eating, both primary outcome measures. Moreover, on the level of secondary outcome measures, we hypothesize that youngsters in the intervention condition, compared with the control condition, will (3) report better sleep quality, (4) undergo improved weight loss and weight loss maintenance, and (5) experience better long-term (6-months) psychological well-being.

DISCUSSION

This study will add to both the scientific and clinical literature on the role of emotion regulation in the development and maintenance of different psychopathologies, as emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The RCT study protocol is registered at ISRCTN Registry, with study ID "ISRCTN 83822934." Registered on 13 December 2017.

Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin 1789) in Kano State, North-Western Nigeria

In Nigeria, helminths have over the last decades been established as important parasite of poultry including pigeons. However, the prevalence of these parasites of pigeons in Kano State is yet to be established. The prevalence of helminth parasites of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Kano State, Nigeria was investigated in this study. The differences in the prevalence of infection between the pigeons examined on the basis of sex of the pigeon and season of the year were analyzed statistically using the students' "t" -test. The intestinal contents of 144 pigeons were examined for gastrointestinal helminths between February and April representing the dry season and between June and August for the wet season. Pigeons were grouped according to Squabs (chicks) (0-4 weeks), Squeakers (Juveniles) (5-8 weeks) and Youngsters (Adults) (9 weeks onwards). Intestinal parasites found include Cestodes: Raillietina tetragona, 20 (13.80%), R. echinobothrida, 11 (7.64%), Amoebotaenia cuneata, 5 (3.47%), Hymenolopis contaniana, 10 (6.95%), Davainea proglottina, 1(0.69%) and Ornithostrongylus quadriatus 1(0.69%). Nematodes: Capillaria obsignata, 10(6.95%) and Ascaridia columbae, 9(6.25%). Forty-two (29.16%) of the birds had mild infection, 17 (11.81%) had moderate infection, 9 (6.25%) and 2(1.39%) had heavy and severe infection, respectively. The prevalence was higher during the wet season (36.65%) than during the dry season (27.97%). Of all the age groups, only Youngsters, 34 (23.61%) were infected with intestinal helminths. However, there were statistically significant differences between the age, sex and seasons in this study (P < 0.005). Pigeons raised on semi-intensive had the highest rate of infection (37.50%) and those raised on intensive management had the lowest rate of infection (9.03%). A number of measures are recommended for the control of these helminthic parasites.

Enhancing fitness, enjoyment, and physical self-efficacy in primary school children: a DEDIPAC naturalistic study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) (e.g., sport, physical education) promotes the psychophysical development of children, enhances health and wellbeing, offers opportunities for enjoyable experiences, and increases self-efficacy.

METHODS

In the DEDIPAC framework, we conducted a naturalistic, cross-sectional study to evaluate the effects of a school-based, long-term intervention on fitness (i.e., cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, speed, and finger dexterity), body mass index (BMI), PA levels, sedentary levels, enjoyment, and physical self-efficacy in primary school children. A group of Italian children (41 boys and 39 girls, aged 10-11 years) involved in the project-named "Più Sport @ Scuola" (PS@S)-was compared with a group of children (41 boys and 39 girls) of the same age not involved in the project.

RESULTS

After a four-year long attendance to the PS@S project, participants reported higher scores of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, enjoyment, and physical self-efficacy compared to children not involved in the project. Correlation analysis results showed that muscular strength scores correlated positively with BMI, PA levels, and enjoyment. Flexibility of the upper body was positively related to physical self-efficacy, and negatively related to speed and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that the PS@S project enhanced fitness level, enjoyment, and physical self-efficacy of children.

Obesity anthropometric indicators associated with cardiometabolic risk in Portuguese children and adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between cardiometabolic risk with body mass index and skinfold independently or in combination in youth. This cross-sectional study comprised a convenience sample of 450 children and adolescents (255 girls), aged 10 to 18 years old. Indicators of body composition were measured, and hemodynamic assessment completed. The association between body mass index and/or sum of skinfolds and cardiometabolic risk (z score of the sum of triglycerides/high density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, and mean blood pressure), was calculated using Generalized Linear Models Regression. The results showed that youngsters classified as overweight or obese with the highest skinfold measurements had the strongest association with cardiometabolic risk (< beta >: 2.60; IC 95%: 2.25–3.0) when compared with those exhibiting normal skinfold thickness (< beta >: 1.78; IC 95%: 1.30–2.20). Body mass index was most strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk (< beta >: 1.78; IC 95%: 1.3–2.2), in comparison to skinfold thickness, which was associated to a lesser extent (< beta >: 0.41; IC 95%: 0.34–0.49). Results of this cross-sectional study indicate that body mass index is more strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk than skinfold thickness. However when these two measures of overweight/obesity are combined, prediction of cardiometabolic risk is further improved. It is therefore important that public health professionals consider both body mass index and sum of skinfolds to better predict cardiometabolic risk in overweight and obese youth. Implications for future research include the use of longitudinal designs and inclusion of children from other racial/ethnic groups.

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Body mass index and skinfold improved the prediction of cardiometabolic risk.

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Body mass index seems to be the best indicator of cardiometabolic risk factors.

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Anthropometric indicators are cost-effective screening of overweight/obesity.

Genuine and Natural: The Opinion of Teen Consumers

Food packaging frequently reports the terms natural, 100% natural or similar. Often these indications induce consumers to purchase those products that are considered healthier and fresher. The overall goal of this study was to assess what teen consumers perceive to be genuine and natural foods. A questionnaire was distributed to the students of some high schools (lyceum, technical and professional institutes). It was completed by 349 females and 314 males, with an average age of 17.6 years. Respondents are quite interested in the information on recipes, diet, beauty and food safety; websites were important information retrieval tools. Genuine food is defined mainly as fruits and vegetables, home-made and salubrious, with less or without fat and that is good for health. Meanwhile, natural is demarcated primarily by the absence of additives and manipulation or treatments (negative impact). Also fruits and vegetables and organic production are associated to natural. The existence of a natural food preference is well described and the presence on food label may cause a wrong perception of healthfulness.